Theatre

Gloria Brancatisano / March 16, 2021

Just Announced

The Lion King to open in New Zealand in June 2021!

“There is simply nothing else like it” – The New York Times

Disney’s The Lion King will make its New Zealand premiere in 2021, making its home at Auckland’s Spark Arena this June.

The Lion King is a worldwide phenomenon that redefines the expectations of theatre. In over 100 cities across 20 countries, the onstage spectacular has been seen by more than 100 million people – making it the most successful musical in theatrical history.

Acclaimed director Julie Taymor has created a spectacular show for Kiwi audiences, who will be treated to extraordinary performances by a talented and diverse international company. Spanning 16 nationalities, the cast will also feature five talented local Kiwi performers, who will be selected from an open audition.

After taking a year-long break, the strictly limited New Zealand run marks The Lion King international tour’s onstage return – opening on Thursday 24 June 2021 at Spark Arena in a specially designed theatre-mode layout.

To be able to share the joy of Julie Taymor’s spectacular production with audiences once again, after such a difficult year for our arts and entertainment industry, is a wonderful feeling. To do so in an entirely new country is beyond exciting. Auckland audiences can look forward to a truly authentic Broadway experience, delivered by our incredible international cast.

Michael Cassel, Producer

Spark Arena is incredibly proud to be hosting this amazing production. This will be the first time that The Lion King has been staged in New Zealand and the scale of this production is way beyond any other theatre experience previously seen in Auckland. Its array of colours, fantastic staging and costume design, and the larger than life beloved characters along with the brilliant music of Sir Elton John and Tim Rice, make The Lion King the perfect entertainment for all ages

Michael Coppel, on behalf of local presenter Spark Arena

After 21 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King is one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by more than 100 million people.

With a Broadway score featuring Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film alongside three new songs by John and Rice, The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Costume Design.

It has also earned more than 70 major arts awards, including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album. The show’s director Julie Taymor – who still plays an integral part in the show’s ongoing success – was the first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical

This international tour of The Lion King premiered in Manila in March 2018 and has continued to break box office records everywhere it has played, including Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The Lion King will make its New Zealand premiere at Auckland’s Spark Arena from Thursday 24 June 2021, and tickets go on sale Friday 16 April. Join the waitlist now!